I gained 20 kg since I started taking Abilify.
My appetite got huge, I can’t help but eat and eat and eat.
My doctor said no, my weight gain isn’t due to Abilify.
So I stopped talking about it to him.
Then I’m suffering alone.
Right now I have an intense urge to overeat and I’m fighting not to eat.
This is what I normally do at the evening.
Tears come up and I’m so angry about what made me this fat.
P.S. I go for a walk in every morning to make some serotonin to reduce my appetite. And I walk for 30 min every other day. Not that I stay home all day doing nothing.
Abilify does not generally cause much weight gain but med effects are individual.
Lots of people in this thread say it made them gain weight: http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-drugs/abilify-weight-gain-anyone-have-51780.html
So yeah, your doctor is most likely wrong. And I’m surprised he said that because he should know it’s not correct.
What dose are you on?
My doctor always says the same thing: This med has not much side effects.
But I also got really sleepy for the first 3 years since I started taking it.
Though this side effect has disappeared now.
Wikipedia says this, but I can’t access the study it references: “A Lancet review found it is in the middle range of 15 antipsychotics for effectiveness, with better tolerability compared to the other antipsychotic drugs (4th best for weight gain” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole
So apparently since it’s 4th best out of 15, it does cause weight gain. And that’s a normal dose you’re on if I recall correctly.
I’m so sorry but I also experienced these symptoms just like you. In total in 1.5 year I gained 25 kg. It did also make me restless and sleepy. If you can’t work out more, have you thought of replacing your food a little bit. If you want to eat a lot, you could eat salad without any dressing and fruits. Celery, peppers and apples. Try to drink a lot of water. you could also maybe eat rice cakes?
Before I got sick, I weighed 180 lbs at 6’1. So I was in shape. Between Risperidone and Abilify, I gained 100 lbs in a year. I have stretch marks to indicate this. When I got off medications, I was put on Topamax, and lost 60 lbs in a matter of months without exercising. I just ate less and lost weight. So, ya, it’s definitely the ■■■■■■■ antipsychotics. I remember eating 6 times a day when I first started Risperdal. Unfortunately, I’m back on medications and stopped Topamax. I’ve already regained like 40-60 lbs. Topamax reverses antipsychotic weight gain, but unfortunately it made my symptoms worse and that’s why I got off of it.
I really want to get off Risperdal and just be on Latuda because of the weight gain. Risperdal makes me crave soda and feel good food like cheeseburgers. It’s not due to depression but a need to counter negative symptoms.
I hate being fat. I hope I don’t gain more weight because of cigarette cessation.
Different med’s can affect people differently. Abilify didn’t make me gain weight, but that is just me. I actually got an increase in physical strength from Abilify. I had to get off it, though, because it got me a little too amped up.
I’ve gained about 10 lbs on Abilify but can’t seem to gain anymore. I think my dietary changes, making sure I adapt to my new cravings but trying to keep my mind focused on being “healthy” is what has kept my weight down.
But one thing I’m concerned about is that which antipsychotic has no side effect of increasing appetite?
I think most APs has that side effect.
Is it still worth changing Abilify to another antipsychotic that might also increases appetite???
Google: metformin for weight loss antipsychotics
Or Google: topiramate for weight loss antipsychotics
Talk to your doc or switch docs I gained 60 pounds on respridone switched docs and lost 15 with no change on what I was doing physically. But since my new meds aren’t stopping a annoying symptom I am switching to abilify… :0 and so I found out about metformin on my own going to talk to my doc about it. Goodluck God Bless!
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